Royce Lewis Sends Message to Twins Fans After Another Loss in the Bronx

· Yahoo Sports

The Minnesota Twins dropped a 5-2 decision to the New York Yankees on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, falling to 42-47 on the season while New York improved to 49-38.

It was a result that has become all too familiar for a franchise that has dropped 29 of its last 37 games in the Bronx, only deepening a painful pattern in this matchup.

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Since 2002, the Twins hold a 44-112 record against New York, meaning they have lost roughly 72 percent of the games between the two clubs over that span.

Kody Clemens gave Minnesota an early lead with a solo homer in the first, but Trent Grisham answered with one of his own to tie it and Ben Rice put the Yankees ahead for good with a two-run shot in the third as Gerrit Cole settled in on the mound.

The Twins went just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and could not put together enough to keep pace.

Lewis' Thoughts

After the game, Royce Lewis did not shy away when asked about Minnesota's history of losing in New York.

"I'm sure as a fan, it's like, 'Oh no, here we go again,'" Lewis said. "They are just another team that I'm excited to play against. It's a good crowd and a good atmosphere."

That confidence stands out from a player who spent the early part of this season in the worst slump of his career, hitting .163 with three home runs through his first 31 games before the Twins sent him to Triple-A St. Paul in May.

Lewis responded by hitting .340 with eight home runs in 13 minor league games, earning a quick recall on June 6 after showing the fight that manager Derek Shelton has valued from his club all year.

Since coming back, he has shown flashes of the talent that made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, even if the full-season numbers have not caught up yet.

Finding His Footing Again

Lewis went 1-for-4 with a double on Friday, a modest line that still reflected the improved approach he has carried since returning from the minors.

His season numbers sit at .212 with seven home runs and 21 RBI, and while those figures are far from where he wants them, his bat speed and swing decisions have looked noticeably better since his return.

The bigger question for the Twins is whether they can flip the script Lewis talked about.

Minnesota came into the weekend riding three straight road series wins and playing some of the better offensive baseball in the league over its prior 16 games.

Games at Yankee Stadium, though, continue to tell a different story.

With the trade deadline approaching and the Twins sitting five games back in the AL Central, Lewis's refusal to carry the weight of past failures could be exactly the mindset shift this group needs as the second half approaches.

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